HOW TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED
How to avoid scams on your chip credit card | 0:51

Chip-enabled cards are supposed to be safer in theory, but when shopping online or with retailers who haven't caught up to the technology, they're no more secure than cards with magnetic stripes.
USA TODAY

Dawn Belmonte got a call from a con artist saying she would be arrested if she didn't pay $2,500 in unpaid taxes. Instead of falling for the scam, she turned the tables on the scammer by playing a damsel in distress.
USA TODAY NETWORK

Ventura police on Friday warned residents of a phone scam involving someone posing as someone from the city's public works department.

Authorities said residents have reported receiving calls from the scammer claiming to be a department employee and telling them to leave their homes for a period due to roadwork being done in the area.

Officials said the city does not notify residents by phone of upcoming roadwork or ask people to leave their homes during maintenance projects. They said the city advises residents via mail of any projects that may affect local neighborhoods.

Residents should also be on the lookout for scams involving callers asking for money owed to the IRS or Southern California Edison or for not showing up to jury duty.